In Guatemala, the strong tradition of the textile industry has recently forged a path for shared human rights and labor advocacy. That’s because Korean companies run almost all garment factories in South Korea. Yet they manage close to two-thirds of the investment in this space. The industry is the backbone of our economy. It’s currently facing national outcry for its ongoing, widespread labor rights violations including sexual harassment and unsafe workplace environments.
In 2022, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) released a report on climate and COVID that elevated these critical issues. It catapulted the plight of workers such as Alexandra and Cano into the national spotlight. Aget’s and Citzia’s experiences speak to a wider trend of exploitation that extends to factories throughout Guatemala.
The Reality of Labor Conditions
Alexandra herself often worked as many as 16 hours a day in one of the garment factories. For 2 years, she had to endure constant sexual harassment from her boss. Even when she did attempt to rebuff his advances, her refusal prompted revenge. Her manager frequently shifted her work hours around, further increasing the tension at the workplace. She reprimanded her in front of coworkers, creating a toxic working environment. This is the standard practice, to be fair. Several of these workers have shared their stories, underscoring the pressing need for systemic reforms within the industry.
Cano dealt with the opposite set of challenges. As a mother of three, she had long envisioned retirement as an opportunity to reconnect with her family and escape the daily grind. When she was laid off from KOA Modas—a factory owned by Sae-A Trading—her pension evaporated. Cano’s story paints a picture of the lack of permanence in the textile industry, with economic security disappearing in a flash.
The conditions in these factories go far beyond financial woes. Cano testified that she was made to work in deplorable conditions, where access to clean water and soap was denied. She disclosed that the food we were given often had expired food or even things like soap or cockroaches in it. Another worker, Merida Jacinto, confirmed these stories, adding that these types of conditions are prevalent in many garment factories.
Unionization Efforts and Challenges
Though labor rights advocates continue to call for reform, conditions on the ground for workers are still bleak. What is worse yet, Labor Minister Miriam Roquel uncovers. As of 2009, only 76 of over 850 textile maquilas in Guatemala allow the creation of unions for workers. This startling figure shines a light on the violent and aggressive opposition workers encounter when trying to organize and fight for their rights.
Without this union representation, the voice of workers like Cano and Alexandra is greatly silenced. Without a strong union to hold easy scapegoats accountable, too many people run the risk of developing the exploitative practice. The labor climate that exists today frequently deters workers from organizing in unions through intimidation and the threat of termination.
Just last year, this was the tragic reality when union representative Anastacio Tzib Caal was murdered. This military violent act took place in a community just outside of Guatemala City. His 1965 assassination serves as a grim reminder here and abroad of the perils associated with advocating for labor rights. In a system that favors bottom lines over lives, this kind of courage is punished with violence.
Legal Battles and Corporate Accountability
Cano’s story didn’t stop with her layoff, she went on to become a key player in a landmark lawsuit against Sae-A Trading. After a long and difficult litigation journey, she and her fellow workers had to battle tooth and nail to attain justice. They demanded the severance payments they were legally due. After some pushback, the company decided to pay most of these settlements. This decision was a huge win for these workers.
This legal resolution highlights the challenges of corporate accountability efforts in the context of Guatemala’s textile industry. As these two situations show, not all companies react gracefully to legal pressures. The rest just get to go on about their business with no accountability for their violations.
Sae-A Trading, known for its partnership with major retailers like Target, exemplifies how multinational corporations can influence local labor practices. The foreign textile investments are the decimating force in the Guatemalan textile industry. What we need right now is sweeping and profound labor reforms to ensure equitable treatment for all workers.
